Boxer Dean Dodge just one bout from place in national semi-final

DEAN Dodge is just one bout away from a national semi-final after beating an opponent from one of the country's most iconic boxing clubs.

The Yeovil ABC lightweight and Western Counties champion beat Bradley Reid of West Ham BC by a majority decision last weekend in the latest round of the National Novice Championship in London.

Dodge, aged 19 and trained by brothers Steve and Dave Nardiello, meets the Eastern Counties champion in the ring in Norwich in a fortnight with a place in the competition's last four at stake. Yeovil ABC coach Dave Edmunds said: "This was the equivalent of Yeovil Town going to Chelsea and winning.

"Western Counties only had three winners and we were one of them. It was an absolutely brilliant performance and we have high hopes for Dean."